In a recent report released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), it has been found that there were significant shortcomings in the response to the tragic mass shooting that took place at a Texas school. The report highlights issues with command and control, as well as a lack of decisive action from law enforcement agencies.
According to the report, the prevailing strategy in the post-Columbine era was immediate action and rapid deployment. The belief was to get on the scene as quickly as possible and form a contact team to neutralize the threat. Many officers responded to the scene of the shooting with a wide array of weapons and body armor, but the problem lay in the lack of a clear chain of command.
Although there were officers willing to enter the school and confront the shooter, there was no single commander taking charge and giving clear orders. Instead, officers were repeatedly told to wait, leading to confusion and delays. This hesitation was due to the belief that the shooting had stopped and the shooter had barricaded himself, only for the shooting to resume when officers advanced towards the door. This back-and-forth pattern of action and retreat unfortunately persisted throughout the duration of the incident.
The DOJ report validates previous reporting on the incident, shedding light on what went wrong that day. It is an independent examination conducted by a disinterested party, providing valuable insights to the families affected by the tragedy. However, the report falls short in terms of accountability, as it reveals a failure of leadership but does not identify any criminal charges or jail time for those involved.
The consequence for those in positions of authority, such as the sheriff or police chief, is primarily determined by re-election or resignation. There is a lack of direct accountability in terms of criminal charges. This poses a challenge for the affected family members, as they lost their loved ones and continue to feel mistreated.
Analysis of the report shows that there were at least ten missed opportunities for law enforcement to intervene over the course of 77 minutes. This pattern of inaction underscores the importance of effective leadership. Different police agencies present at the scene were involved in debates and delays, such as determining access to locked rooms and locating the necessary keys. This ultimately ate up valuable time until, finally, a team from the U.S. Border Patrol SWAT team, known as BORTAC, disregarded instructions and made entry, bringing an end to the shooting.
The report raises questions about who is best suited to be the incident commander in such situations and at what point a smaller agency should cede control to a larger one. Despite the presence of well-equipped and ready personnel, the lack of decisive leadership hindered the implementation of a clear plan.
While the DOJ report provides valuable insights and brings attention to the failures in command and control, it may offer little solace to the grieving families. The report serves as a reminder of the need for effective leadership and coordination in such critical incidents to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
